DAN SAYS: If you were judging the contenders for the top prize by name alone, it would appear to be one of the strongest years ever in this category. But the U2, Eminem and Janet Jackson videos are all snoozers, and among the rest, only Missy Elliott’s “Get Ur Freak On” shows any sign of innovation. Give Mr. Moonman to Miss E.

KRISTINA SAYS: “Lady Marmalade” is overproduced, overdesigned and over the top. I’m over it. But it will probably win on star power alone. I prefer “Stan” – Eminem and Dido bring out the best in each other in this compelling mini-movie.

DAN SAYS: While Robbie Williams’ anatomical striptease for “Rock DJ” is very different (in fact, it would make a butcher queasy), look to Nelly’s tried-and-true booty-call formula to trump the competition here.

KRISTINA SAYS: To Robbie Williams, I say gore doesn’t win contests (we learned that last year). Moby and Gwen Stefani’s sendup of hip-hop excesses is too smug by half. And Lenny Kravitz should not receive an award for baring his butt and making it impossible to get a seat at NoLIta’s Cafe Habana, where he filmed his self-love fest. Give the award to “Stan.”

DAN SAYS: This is among the strongest, most thought-out categories. There are big names and big hits, but be prepared for dark horse Dido to say “thanks for the award” for her pretty, simple ode to friendship, “Thank You.”

KRISTINA SAYS: Dido’s fragile, wispy good looks – and the intro to her “Thank You” – are put to far better use in the gritty “Stan.” Jennifer Lopez waits all the way till the end of “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” to flaunt her booty – so she should get an award for restraint (or at least the chance to collaborate with Lenny Kravitz). Well-shot and beautifully photographed – and featuring Madonna at her most accessible, wearing jeans and confidently playing to the camera – “Don’t Tell Me” should win. But Janet will instead.

DAN SAYS: Without question, MTV sweethearts U2 will snag the award for “Elevation Remix,” which is a great tune hitched to very clever freeze-frame filming.

KRISTINA SAYS: U2’s great and everything, but this “Tomb Raider” tie-in is the point where the nominations start to feel gratuitous. Destiny’s Child already covered “Survivor” territory – and did a better job of it – in “Independent Woman Part I.” Matthews’ high-concept clip – in the tradition of classic Peter Gabriel and Tom Petty videos – is the underdog here. But *NSYNC will be the winner.

DAN SAYS: When you consider that “Lay Low” features Snoop Dogg along with Master P, Nate Dogg, Butch Cassidy and Tha Eastsidaz, tossing this bone into the Dogg’s pound makes total sense. You almost want these guys to win just to see how outrageous their thank-you speeches will be.

KRISTINA SAYS: Self-enamored Jay-Z’s big-pimpin’ act is getting tired. And while it’s nice to see a rapper focusing on one woman at a time in “Put It on Me,” the song’s lyrics are far more expressive than this underdeveloped video. “Stan” will win. But I wish they’d give the Moonman to “Lay Low.” It’s what Michael Jackson’s gangster-era “Smooth Criminal” would have been if it had been street-smart instead of Broadway-influenced.

KRISTINA SAYS: The people who made “Peaches & Cream” had to brainstorm a long time before they came up with the concept for this one – shots of sexed-up women wrapping themselves around the 112 guys and, you guessed it, sliced peaches. R. Kelly takes the story of the tragic death of a loved one and glamorizes it until the sentiments feel hollow. You can find more authenticity in a Blue Mountain greeting card. But if anything’s going to be gettin’ in the way of my fave, Jill Scott, it’s R. Kelly.

DAN SAYS: If this category were about the best dance moves in a video, it would have to go to Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice” for Christopher Walken’s hoofing. But it’s about dance music, and the only real dance tune here is by New York home girl Jennifer Lopez.

KRISTINA SAYS: “Weapon” should win. Christopher Walken is elegant and endearing, whether he’s doing a soft shoe or leaping from the mezzanine, “Crouching Tiger”-style. Can you distinguish the dancing in “Pop” from what’s in any other *NSYNC clip? I don’t think so. Not that it matters. It’s going to win.

DAN SAYS: It’s sad when a category seemingly as important to MTV as Best Rock Video offers such a bland assortment of “who cares?” images and sound. Give this one to Staind, not because the band deserves it, but because the rest deserve it less.

KRISTINA SAYS: It’s great that Linkin Park and fellow front-runner Staind have broken out of the Siberia that is MTV2, but their straightforward get-to-know-us clips aren’t the ones to acknowledge them for. This category is easy to hash out: Weezer should win. Kind of geeky and averse to flaunting their testosterone levels, these guys may not look like rock stars, but they’ve made a funny video.

DAN SAYS: This is the category to watch – the equivalent of wrestling’s steel-cage death match. Everyone is represented here, from the “Lady Marmalade” mob to MTV’s little shocker, Britney Spears. But even if you hate *NSYNC, understand it would violate of the laws of nature if “Pop” didn’t win the Pop award.

KRISTINA SAYS: It’s between the candied glitz of “Pop” and “Lady Marmalade.” But “Pop” has the edge because it was edgy by *NSYNC’s standards. Some of the boys got new highlights in their hair for this.

DAN SAYS: Since the start of the summer, vocalist Alicia Keys has been getting more ink in the music press than any of the other performers here. While Nikka Costa has the superior video, Keys is currently the best known of the lot and will be waxing her Moonman at the end of the night.

KRISTINA SAYS: Murky, moody and without any plot, Coldplay’s “Yellow” features a besotted Chris Martin walking on a rainy shore promising everything he’d do for his beloved. It’s a great, understated video. I hope it wins. But Keys is going to take the award home to her Baby Grand.

DAN SAYS: Put Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya and Pink in “Moulin Rouge” lingerie and have them just stand there, and they’d win. The lock is in – “Lady Marmalade” is sweet.

KRISTINA SAYS: Ain’t no sunshine when DMX teams up with Steven Seagal. “Elevation Remix” is not U2’s best, and it’s not the best this category has to offer. The high-gloss “Marmalade” will smother the competition, but my pick would be “Independent Woman Part I.” Throw up your hands at me!